Which Devon grammar for DD?

[Tabbyabby]

Help! Trying to decide by the weekend which of the South Devon Grammars to go for but we currently live in the West Midlands - very last minute as DH only got new job at the end of August.
We are relocating to the Exeter area for DH's job and DD, currently yr6, has passed the 11+ with eligible scores for both Colyton and Torquay Girls.
We have visited both schools, but have only seen each one for about an hour and cannot revisit as this week is Devon half term.
It would be really helpful to hear how girls , particularly, fare at Colyton - we weren't able to speak to any pupils when we were there - and what the extra-curricular offer is like there. DD is academic, esp languages and sciences and loves reading, but also loves the outdoors, climbing trees, swimming and singing.

Wonder also about the pastoral side?
Re Torquay Girls - most comments on MN very positive and seemed a happy school but noticed skirts turned over at waistband, immaculate hair and make up etc ( though didn't meet many girls) and wonder if there is much pressure to conform or bullying or whether all types of girl are included and supported by their peers as well as staff?
And any other advice/comments welcome! It's very difficult making the choice from a long distance without any prior knowledge of the schools.
Thanks in advance!

Ah, the grove! The best of times. I don’t think it’s there anymore.

Well that is devastating news. A whole generation of kids missing out. Next you’ll be telling me you can’t get the pink Bacardi breezers.

Miss Pickersgill is still teaching!

Torquay girls will party in Torquay when older and is next door to Torquay boys with the (out dated) reputation it has re drugs

Yes well it's just not appropriate Gemma and doesn't reflect the reality. It's an incredibly thoughtless thing to post.

Branscombe is far more beautiful than Beer but prices are relatively high property wise. It has the advantage of a free school bus for Y7-11.

Both DDs have gone through Colyton - DD2 is in y13. There isn't any bullying I have been aware of. There are loads of extra-curricular activities on offer whether you want sport, music, reading, robotics etc. The Parents' Association is pretty active and has just held a big art show. Pastoral care is fine - we haven't needed much beyond what is provided but staff have got back to me quickly and niggles have been rectified promptly.

Both DDs are scientists and there is absolutely no pressure on them either from staff or the boys not to be. They both have wide circles of friends, male & female, and this is one reason we chose the school.

We used to live in Exeter but moved 10 miles to the east as it suited our work at the time. Yes, Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton have a lot of older people, but there are younger ones too. We are near the beach and live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Buses serve Colyton from Exeter, the villages round Ottery like Whimple & Feniton, Honiton, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth as well as closer places like Branscombe.

Can you come down on a weekday and book a tour round? Wherever possible, they get 6th form students to show people round and chat with them, so at least you would get to meet some and chat to them.

Thank you all so much and sorry for delayed reply (we go to bed early in our house!).
Malbecfan, thank you for the insight into the school and info on the surrounding area. It sounds less pressured than it's reputation and what I'm reading on here is backing up my gut feeling that co-ed is probably best for DD. From photos online (admittedly a random selection of evidence) the girls seem to have no more body-image concerns than anywhere else and noticeably fewer than some schools.
If it were possible we would absolutely visit for another look round and to meet some of the students, but we are really up against it timewise as applications must be in before next Weds and this week is Devon's half term (though not ours!) - hence the desperate plea on mumsnet

namechange and stellar - thank you, good to know you have fond memories! (Maybe all schools have a hangout called The Grove? Mine did, and it's a LONG way from Devon)

I went to TGGS and have DC at Colyton, obviously my experience of TTGS is a long time ago but in my opinion Colyton is a better choice in terms of pastoral care, being co-ed and definitely results-wise. Having grown up in Torquay, I would also opt for East Devon generally (all the places mentioned as well as Woodbury, West Hill, Whimple, Feniton if you're looking for a village) as opposed to South Devon, although there are some stunning parts of South Devon too. I don't think you can go too far wrong either way, but I'd go Colyton/East Devon, good luck!

I have children in TGGS and TBGS and have been very impressed with both. If you look at the data there is very little between Colyton and TGGS. TGGS has higher pp kids( double Colyton) but both are sadly obviously well below the national average. The pastoral care in both TGGS and TBGS is excellent. My dd has SEN and the provision for that had been on the whole very good too. She is very happy and there doesn’t seem to be any bullying . Respect seems to be pushed quite vigorously.The girls are very supportive of each other which has been a contrast to the experience of her friends in co-ed schools. TGGS is very good at giving the girls confidence and pushing them to strive to reach their max potential in all areas, aim high in the workplace etc.There are loads of extra curricular activities. The girls come from all over. Some come from Exeter, the gorgeous South Hams, Teign Valley, Dartmoor..... all far nicer areas imvho than that surrounding Colyton. There is a very good private bus service to these areas. They only go out in Torquay if they live there. My dd doesn’t as like many of her friends she doesn’t live there and is too busy. She has made friends all over and meeting up is easy thanks to phones. Did you visit Churston? We were impressed with that too but it was too far for us.

Thank you Dazed and Gladrag!
Dazed, interesting to hear from someone who knows both schools and thank you for the recommendations for villages. Have just had a quick look and realised I need to know more about their character and (sadly) flooding... We get flooding where we are now and I really should have thought of it before.
Gladrag - thank you! Fantastic to hear from someone with DC at TGGS having heard so much about Colyton. How long has/have your DD been at the school? I know nothing of TBGS, as obvs we aren't considering it, but understand that there is some collaboration - is this something your DC have benefited from?
Do you think it is acceptable among the girls to be bright/intellectual at TGGS? DD is both (though also loves dressing up and climbing trees) and I'd love her not to have to choose between "school" and "cool" as I had to (I went to a big city comprehensive) - I chose cool which seemed a good idea at the time but wasn't a great long-term strategy.
Have niggling doubts over whether body image is a big deal at TGGS and also the amount of phone use allowed in school (lunchtime phone use allowed) - would be really glad to know your experience /views if any.
We're not considering Churston as, like you, we feel it is too far.
Thank you so much!

My dd is in her third year and very qwerky, def not cool, no pressure to be.There seems to be a lot like her and a presumption that all are intellectual and bright.A strong work ethic seems to be the norm( not so much in my dd😂) They collaborate more with the boys in lessons at A level but travel together from year 7 and meet up on the shared paddock before school. Think the musicals are collaborations between both schools and there are discos for both together. My dc have friends at both schools and meet up with both outside of school. Not sure re phones. I know TBGS are v vigilant. Any spotted are confiscated. One of my boys lost his for checking a text between classes. You get an email. 😳 Not sure what the policy is at the girls, will ask dd.Dd is always going on about how nobody is ever naughty at her school . I’m sure that can’t be true but they do seem quite focused and very studious compared to her primary.

What sort of place would you like to live in? Exeter is a lovely city but I like the beaches/ areas near the south hams and being near Dartmoor. Exeter can be less than half an hour away,many commute to Exeter for work.

In every pole I've seen and gov.uk site Colyton's results are better, (DofE rates them best co-ed school in England and highest scoring school in SW) however both are great (being selective of course they are!) and clearly other factors are as important. As pupils come from far afield, Colyon try to run many clubs at lunchtime, they are very varied across sports and arts. I haven't had cause to test their pastoral care, I may have been lucky there or maybe they are getting it right! Also no 'body image' issues that I am aware of, although I'm sure there is a an element of that at every school. Having experience of both, I'd say where you want to live is probably key. To the West of Exeter, TGGS and to the East, Colyton. Whilst I know children who go to to Colyton from North Devon & East Dorset (and I'm sure the same applies for TGGS) you do have to think how long you want your DD to be on a bus for twice a day.

I think you're splitting hairs when looking at the data. Both are clearly excellent schools and the pupil breakdown/ catchment is quite different. As I said TGGS has nearly double the. amount of PP kids although both are below the national average. Interestingly there seems to be a 55/45% boy/ girl split at Colyton. Are you happy with that?I have to say I'm a convert to girls only education. There a big advantages re confidence. My mousechild has blossomed.Look at other factors. What is the 6th form criteria and alternatives if she doesn't make it? There will be competition.Also where would you want to live? It goes so quick and you could end up staying after. Look at school bus routes and cost if a factor. Think about your commute.

are

The gender split is now even - the uneven split was a historical blip lasting only a couple of years, maybe three.

Gladrag I'd really worry about the rail commute through Dawlish, until it's vulnerability is improved.

(By its vulnerability, I mean not having all trains cancelled every time there's a puff of wind).

My dc's friends don't seem to have any problems with it to the station v near school. But. op you might want to check all transport to both. Private bus,public and trains.

If you look on the school website you can see all the 3 coach company details. A&B run loads and lists all the pick ups which could give you living location ideas. Pretty sure there is a public bus stop some of their friends use directly outside school. But ring and check to be sure.

Op check out www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk if you haven't already...
Several bus companies run services to Colyton from as far out as Exeter, just for info I pay around £900 per year from a village halfway between Exeter and the school.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply in detail, it's all so helpful and though still undecided I am much less frazzled than I was 48 hours ago.
Gladrag thank you for sharing your DD's experience of TGGS, it's lovely to know that all kinds of girls can fit in there.

Dazed - thank you for answering my queries re body image etc - I'm sure you're right that it's present in every school, it's how prevalent it is and whether it's part of the school's informal culture, so good to know it's not a focus.
You are both right about thinking about where to live and transport- the problem is we don't have time to visit before the deadline! We're not keen to live in Exeter just because it's too big and would really like a village with a good sense of community, possibly a small town. We are a bit constrained by not having a huge budget for a house and wanting to make sure it's big enough to have people to stay as we're not from Devon and family and friends will have to stay .over when they come... Trying to balance that with choosing the right school
I will check out transport when looking at places to live - out of interest, how long do you think is manageable for a journey to school for senior school students?
Gladrag - I'm interested that you are a convert to all girls education - my DD and I can't work out which would be best - having some boys around to diffuse the girliness or having a bigger pool of girls in which to find friends?
You've all been brilliantly helpful, thank you!

My DD is at Colyton and loves it. She is not at all a girly girl and is always in with the boys/girls doing science techy clubs at lunch.

DC are not allowed to wear make up at Colyton which I personally think is a good thing. The DC there don't seem bothered because no one wears it. I suspect there are some fantastic at natural looks wearing make up, but most don't bother.

I think they are quite hot on mental health issues, my dd tells me the school talk about good MH a lot. They also called me one day when my dd had been on a school trip with food provided and she hadn't eaten much. It was a really hot day and she had had a cake in the morning break and a banana for lunch. She didn't fancy the sandwiches provided. I thought it was quite good that they brought that to my attention.

The school is very good at keeping you informed about everything going on and they can do lots of different sporty or academic lunchtime clubs.

Both are good schools and if your DD has passed the exams for both, well done her! I'm afraid I would not have considered TGGS (just as I wouldn't consider Maynard) because I am vehemently opposed to single sex education. I was forced through it and vowed that I would never subject my own daughters to it. For all those people who will no doubt tell me that boys will do much better in science and push the girls out of the way blah blah, it's not the case at Colyton. DD1 is studying science at Cambridge and DD2 is applying for science courses at present.

OP, if you are likely to have to travel north to visit family, you might be better off closer to the M5. Heading towards the South Hams, Dartmoor etc. will add to your journey time, especially in the summer.

Thank you Tinty and Malbecfan! It really does seem that girls can have a really positive experience at Colyton. My DD is keen, and would love the sciency/tech clubs, but is hesitating because she also loves the look of the charity fundraising, dressing up for World Book Day and fancy dress (optional but DD would embrace it) sponsored walk at TGGS. And they don't really go in for school productions do they? Hoping I could substitute with youth theatre or similar...
Malbecfan, yes, we would need to get out of Devon on a regular basis to visit ageing parents, so travel is a factor. We like the look of Bovey Tracey, Chagford, Chudleigh... but obviously all on the wrong side of Devon! Where would you recommend in the East? Tentatively looking at Sidmouth...
Thank you again for the replies, the opinions and advice have made so much difference to making a very difficult decision.